OCP does not use a "classic" Precision Opening (strong balanced) because all of our strong balanced ranges are already catered for. Rather, OCP uses it as either a weak pre-emptive Opening with at least 5-5 in
the Minors (in ACBL or EBU jurisdiction), or a Multi-style Opening (anywhere else or on BBO) with either:
5-9 points and at least 5-5 in the Minors, or
11-15 and exactly 5-5 in the Majors, or
A 3-level pre-empt in Clubs
These two related methods are set out below.
2NT = Minor 2-suiter
There is no need for a complicated scheme of responses to a 2NT Opening that always shows a weak Minor 2-suiter. The below gives us the ability to compete, invite, bid game or investigate Slam in either Minor, and so to sign off in game in some other denomination:
2NT
-3♣
is to play
-3♦
is to play
-3♥
is Gamma in Clubs. Asking Bids established.
-3♠
is Gamma in Diamonds. Asking Bids established.
-3NT
is strictly to play.
-4♣
is natural and invitational with a good Club fit
-4♦
is natural and invitational with a good Diamond fit
-4♥
is natural and "to play" with a very strong hand and at least a 7-card Heart suit
-4♠
is natural and "to play" with a very strong hand and at least a 7-card Spade suit
-5♣
To play and probably pre-emptive
-5♦
To play and probably pre-emptive
2NT = Multi-style
The general strategy behind the Responses contains some elements of Oliver's Twist, as follows:
With any weak hand, or any hand that has game ambitions only opposite a Major 2-suiter, Responder gives their preference between the Minors at the 3-level. Note: Unless Responder has a very strong preference for Diamonds, it is normally better for them to give preference to Clubs even if they have slightly better support for Diamonds, in case Opener has the Club Pre-empt
With an invitational hand containing at least one Major and one Minor suit, Responder gives preference between the Majors at the 3-level.
With a strong balanced hand that wants to play in 3NT opposite weak Minors or a Club Pre-empt, or in 4 of a Major (or higher) opposite an Intermediate Major hand, Responder bids 3NT
With a strong unbalanced hand that wants to play in game or slam opposite any of the possible Opening holdings, Responder bids 4♣
2NT
-3♣
shows a preference between the Minors. Now:
-Pass
shows both Minors or a Club Pre-empt
-3♦
shows both Majors, upper range. Now:
-3/4♥
is 100% "to play"
-3/4♠
is 100% "to play"
-3NT
is 100% "to play"
-4♣
is Gamma in Hearts. Asking Bids established.
-4♦
is Gamma in Spades. Asking Bids established.
-3♥
shows both Majors, lower range. Now:
-No/4♥
is 100% "to play"
-3/4♠
is 100% "to play"
-3NT
is 100% "to play"
-4♣
is Gamma in Hearts. Asking Bids established.
-4♦
is Gamma in Spades. Asking Bids established.
2NT
-3♦
shows a preference between the Minors. Now:
-Pass
shows both Minors
-3♥
shows both Majors, any range. Now:
-3/4♠
is 100% "to play"
-3NT
is 100% "to play"
-4♣
is Gamma in Hearts. Asking Bids established.
-4♦
is Gamma in Spades. Asking Bids established.
-4♥
is 100% "to play"
-3NT
shows the Club Pre-empt
-Pass/4♣
Responder passes or corrects
2NT
-3♥
shows a strongly invitational hand with Hearts and a Minor. Now:
-Pass
shows a minimum hand with both Majors
-3NT
shows the Club Pre-empt. Responder passes or corrects to 4/5♣
-No/4/5♣
Responder passes or corrects
-4♣
shows the weak Minor 2-suiter, any range
-No/5♣
Responder passes or raises with good Club support
-4/5♦
Responder passes or raises with good Club support
-4♥
shows the Major 2-suiter, better than minimum
2NT
-3♠
shows a strongly invitational hand with Spades and a Minor. Now:
-Pass
shows a minimum hand with both Majors
-3NT
shows the Club Pre-empt. Responder passes or corrects to 4/5♣
-No/4/5♣
Responder passes or corrects
-4♣
shows the weak Minor 2-suiter, any range
-No/5♣
Responder passes or raises with good Club support
-4/5♦
Responder passes or raises with good Club support
-4♠
shows the Major 2-suiter, better than minimum
2NT
-3NT
shows a strong balanced hand that wants to be in 3NT Opposite a Club Pre-empt of weak Minors, or in game/slam opposite a Major 2-suiter
-4♣
shows the Major 2-Suiter. Now:
-4♦
is a range/distribution enquiry.
-4♥
shows any minimum hand. Responder passes or converts, or may bid 4NT as Beta
-4♠
shows maximum with a Diamond singleton. 4NT is Beta.
-4NT
shows maximum with a Club singleton. 5♣ is Beta.
-5♣
shows maximum with a Diamond void. 5♦ is Beta.
-5♦
shows maximum with a Club void. No Beta permitted.
-4♦
shows the Minor 2-Suiter, minimum range. 4♥ is Beta.
-4♥
shows the Minor 2-Suiter, maximum range with a Spade shortage. 4♠ is Beta.
-4♠
shows the Minor 2-Suiter, maximum range with a Heart shortage. 4NT is Beta.
2NT
-4♣
shows a strong distributional hand interested in a game or slam opposite either of the hand types (eg: a strong 2-suiter with one Major and one Minor with at least a good tolerance for Clubs)
-4♦
shows the Major 2-Suiter. Now:
-4♥
Shows preference for Hearts, but no interest in more than game
-4♠
Shows preference for Spades, but no interest in more than game
-4NT
is Gamma in Hearts. Asking Bids are established.
-5♣
is Gamma in Spades. Asking Bids are established.
-4♥
shows the Minor 2-Suiter. Now:
-4♠
is Gamma in Clubs. Asking Bids are established.
-4NT
is Gamma in Diamonds. Asking Bids are established.
-5♣
To play. Shows no interest in more than game in Clubs
-5♦
To Play. Shows no interest in more than game in Diamonds
-4NT
shows the Club pre-empt. All continuations are natural.
Notes
If you use the Multi-style Alternative shown above, you will have to reconsider your responses over 1♠ Openings:
The sequence 1♠-1NT-2♥ cannot be 5-5 in the Majors (might be 5-4 or 6-4, but never exactly 5-5)
The sequence 1♠-1NT-3♥ now has to be showing at least 6-5, so the minimum length for the Gamma scale has to be adjusted accordingly.
This doesn't mean that you can reliably use the "length known" Gamma scale where either Major is concerned
In natural sequences like 1♠-2x-2♥ Responder should remember that Opener will almost certainly only have 4-card Hearts (with 6-5 in the Majors, a 3-level rebid probably indicated, even if lower range).